10th February, 2026.
Stephanie and Sean Powell are the winners of the 2026 Environmental Citizens of the Year award, presented at the Wollondilly Shire Council Australia Day celebration. Together, they have rescued and cared for a multitude of animals of all species including snakes, koalas, bats, possums, gliders, echidnas, reptiles, and all types of birds. Some examples of outstanding achievements have included successfully raising and releasing over 40 ring tails possums, contributing to the development, and building of a wombat enclosure for the care and management of orphaned wombats and participated in the training for the care of raptors, bats and koalas. Sean and Stephanie joined Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services in 2021 as volunteers and hit the ground running, with the rescue and care of sick and injured wildlife in the Wollondilly. Sean and Stephanie retired from full time employment in 2022 - Stephanie as an NSW Paramedic and Sean as a Corrections Officer and Navy Veteran. After a life contributing to others, they both found that they shared an interest in the care and rescue of wildlife. Wollondilly is grateful for their ongoing outstanding contributions and devotion to animals.